STOK KANGRI EXPEDITION |
| Tour Highlights : |
High altitude trek, camping, wildlife, flora and fauna. |
| Trek Style : |
Local mountain guide / camping |
| Climbing Style : |
Professional Mountaineer Guide |
| Duration : |
23 Days (Delhi to Delhi) |
| Best Season : |
June - September |
| On Trek : |
10 Days |
| Climbing : |
01 Days* |
| Grade : |
Strenouse/Vigorous (will depend on the snow and weather conditon) |
| Price : |
Euro 2010 per person on twin-sharing* |
* Please check inclusion / exclusion and terms & condition section
* Based on minimum of two pax (For group rates please contact us)
About The Expedition
One of the most frequented and suitable for both novice and experienced climbers. It demands a fit physical condition from the trekkers. The pre summit trekking days makes the trekkers more sure and perfectly acclimatized. The climbing is though non technical but the route is challenging as we climb from the South Ridge. Magnificent views of the Karakoram range and a distant view of K2 is rewording if the sky is clear. This trip includes visit to monasteries by car with the local guide, visit to remote villages enroute the trek. See the village life and interact with the locals.
A very good news for the adventure lovers and climbers that from this year 2008 Stok Kangri peek fee can be easily paid at Leh itself and does not need to book months in advance..
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Day By Day Itinerary
| Day 01: |
Meeting and assistance on arrival at International Airport. Transfer to Hotel in New Delhi. |
| Day 02: |
Transfer to Domestic Airport to connect flight to Leh. Meeting and assistance on arrival at Leh Airport and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day free for acclimatization. |
| Day 03: |
Acclimatization / introductory tour of Shey, Thiksey and Hemis monasteries. Overnight hotel at Leh.
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| Day 04: |
Leh-Uleytokpo. Drive from Leh to Uley Tokpo, enroute visit Alchi, Likir and Basgo monasteries. Overnight at Uley Ethnic Resort camp at Uleytokpo. |
| Day 05: |
Uleytokpo-Lamayuru. Morning visit Rizong and Chulichan nunnery and drive to Lamayuru. Overnight camp at Lamayuru. |
| Day 06: |
Trek Lamayuru-Wanla. Start trekking down the riverbed, pass the Lamayuru village. Following the flow of the river and cross it to enter the valley on the right. Gradual climbs up to Prinkiti La pass (3900Mts.) and then descend a narrow and dry gorge to reach Shila. Cross the river and camp at Wanla. Later visit the beautiful Gompa. Trek times 04 Hrs. |
| Day 07: |
Trek Wanla Hinju. Follow a nice trail till the village of Phanji, from where you Leave the main trail and head up the Ripchar valley to Hinju. Overnight camp at Hinju.
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| Day 08: |
Cross Konse La. We leave early and follow an easy path until we are at the foot of the Konse La (height just under 4,950m/16,000ft). The walking at this point gets more strenuous, but all of the effort is soon forgotten once the top is reached; from this vantage point, the views are amazing. The descent is as swift as it is steep but as it eases, we pass a number of shepherds' huts where we may be offered curd. The campsite is reached after about one hour's decent from the pass. Total walking about 5 hours, altitude of the campsite approximately 4,100m/13,500ft. |
| Day 09: |
Trek to the village of Sumdochenmo. From the campsite, the trail descends gradually, criss-crossing a pleasant stream. After a time, we leave this and follow a path adjacent to a water channel until the village of Sumdochenmo is reached. At the village, it is possible to obtain tea and there is a small monastery, which provides a short distraction. After the village, the path contours high above the valley bottom until it drops to a junction of several valleys. Here we find some welcome shade where we may take our lunch. Until this point, we have been descending gradually. In front of us is a climb separating us from our campsite. At a steady pace, the high point can be reached in about an hour before a gradual descent leads to a dusty but pleasant campsite with spectacular views. Approximately 4 hours of walking, altitude of campsite about 3,900m/13,000ft. |
| Day 10: |
First views of Stok Kangri from Dungduchenia. We leave our camp and pass some herdsmans' huts on our way to the top of a pass. The path is obvious and delightful views of the mountains are afforded (great place for echoes near the top). The top is reached within two hours. The Dungduchenia is at an altitude of about 4,450m/15,000ft and from here, if the weather permits, excellent views of Stok Kangri are had. The way down is most pleasant to begin with, but a steep descent into a gorge heralds the start of a slog if the weather is hot. Fortunately, the campsite at Chilling makes up for the hard work. Sometimes beer is available as well as rum for the more discerning. About 5 hours walking, altitude of campsite, about 3,100m/10,200ft.. |
| Day 11: |
Return drive along the banks of the Indus to Leh. We make a leisurely start to the day, so as to relax after completing the initial part of the expedition. The trek will have taken us through spectacular country whilst improving our fitness and acclimatisation, to the altitude and to the culture of the people of Ladakh. The benefits might not be immediately apparent, as we shake off the celebrations from the night before, but on summit day to come our acclimatised bodies will be more assured. After packing up the camp, we embark by road for the return drive along the banks of the Indus to Leh. We settle back in to our hotel for the evening. |
| Day 12-13: |
Rest and exploration in and around Leh. The time is your own to rest and explore Leh. The great palace commands the city, which was the seat of the old Ladakhi kings. Beneath it, the streets, alleyways and tunnels of the ancient city are intriguing to explore, and many of the local people still wear the traditional Tibetan-like costume. There are many shops, bazaars and restaurants among which you can spend a very pleasant and restful day. On the horizon, to the south, one mountain rises higher than all around - Stok Kangri. You may find its appearance somewhat alarming, as it does look very steep from Leh. Just remember that there is an easy way up the other side! On one of these two days in Leh, you may wish to spend some time visiting the local monasteries at Shey and Thikse. |
| Day 14 : |
Begin trek up Matho River Valley to Stok Kangri. Leaving early in the morning, we drive up the Indus Valley to Matho (2 hours), which is the start of our approach to Stok Kangri. Returning once again to the barren mountain wilderness, we trek up the Matho River Valley and set up camp after several hours' walk, at a place called Matho Phu (4,480m/14,700ft). After our rest in Leh and with everybody fully acclimatized, everyone should be fit and in good shape for the trek to base camp and climb. |
| Day 15: |
Trek to Stok Kangri base camp. From Matho Phu, we continue up the valley making a steep climb over a pass from which we get more super views of Stok Kangri. Also visible below is base camp and the whole route from base camp to the summit can be pointed out. From here, a steady descent leads to our base camp and home for the next two nights (altitude approx. 5,000m/16,000 ft). |
| Day 16: |
A rest day and time for final preparations: The expedition leader checks the route to the glacier and looks for a site for advance base camp. It is possible that he may require help to prepare the site for this camp, which is located on the glacier, cradled on the lower slopes of the mountain itself, several hours above base camp. |
| Day 17: |
Move to advance base camp: From base camp, we climb straight up the moraine, which stands immediately above our camp. This is tiring work first thing in the day but it soon eases to give a gentle descent and access to the glacier beyond. Depending on snow conditions we may put on crampons as soon as we walk onto the glacier. The surface of the glacier will probably be uneven and furrowed by melt water streams. There are a few, very small crevasses, which are crossed easily. At the top of the glacier the slope steepens as we climb up onto the south face where the camp is located on a promontory of rough ground at approximately 5,300m/17,400ft. Using this high camp also engenders a real 'expedition feel' and heightens the anticipation of the climb itself. |
| Day 18: |
Summit day: Our summit day begins before dawn, to give us ample time for the climb. Being several hours above base camp, starting from here considerably shortens the day and increases everyone's chances of reaching the summit. This tactic has proved particularly effective and in the last two years, for example, every team member has reached the top. The nature of the climb from advance base camp depends on the snow cover. It is most likely that we do not need our crampons for the most part as we scramble over scree and boulders, which lead up to the south ridge. The 1,500 ft ridge that stretches up to the summit is exciting and superbly exposed, although never particularly steep and very straightforward. Most of the ridge is like a steep path, so ropes are not usually necessary, although some scrambling is required. At an altitude approaching 20,000 ft it is extremely tiring and anybody who needs a rope will be able to use one.
The summit is a superb reward for your effort, giving magnificent views in every direction. The city of Leh is so small that you can barely see it. After taking photographs and perhaps a bite to eat, we set off back down the hill. The route taken depends on the leader, but it is usually a reversal of the way we went up. Occasionally our groups have descended the South Face, in which case a small abseil is necessary near the top. On reaching the glacier, we return all the way back to base camp, our advance base camp having been dismantled by our camp staff. The evening meal is be accompanied by a wee dram to celebrate the occasion! |
| Day 19: |
Spare Summit Day: We have allowed on extra day in case weather, individual acclimatisation, or anything else, requires more time for the ascent to be completed successfully. |
| Day 20: |
Trek to Stok from base Camp : From base camp we trek directly down the valley towards the village of Stok. This is a delightful walk, passing several homesteads and numerous ruins of old fortresses. We reach Stok after about six hours walking, from where transport meets us and take us back to Hotel in Leh. |
| Day 21: |
Day at leisure in Leh: Overnight in Hotel. |
| Day 22: |
Transfer to Airport, to connect flight to Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to Hotel in Delhi. Overnight hotel in Delhi |
| Day 23: |
Delhi Home: Transfer to International airport to fly home |
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Click for Possible tour extensions :
Price Includes :
• Accommodation in category hotel at Leh with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Transportation for sightseeing as per the itinerary by Scorpio/Gypsy/Sumo.
• English Speaking monastery guide for sightseeing
• All monastery entrance fees in Ladakh
• Arrival and departure transfers at airports in Delhi and Leh with assistance
• Trek on full board
• Climbing equipments for individuals / Groups should bring their own.
• All trekking equipments; sleeping tents, dinning tents, kitchen tent, toilet tents, carry mats, water cans, kitchen utensils and accessories etc
• All trekking staff: Mountain Guide, Trek Cook, Helper, Horse/Pony.
• Transportation for trek staff, equipment and food items
• Two way radio as per requirement
• Potable oxygen cylinder as per requirement
• First Aid Box (No imported medicines and accessories)
• Any Inner-line permits applicable as per the regions.
• Wild life fees as applicable.
• Peak fees
Price Excludes :
• Airfares
• Accommodation in Delhi***
• Trekking shoes
• Sleeping bags
• Government Service tax 3.09% on package
• Medical and insurance of any kind.
• Any expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances like flight delay/cancellation, strike or any other natural calamities
• Tips, laundry, liquors, wines, mineral water, telephone charges and items of personal nature.
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***Accommodation in Delhi is not calculated due to huge variation and difference in price and type of accommodation. We shall quote once we know of your choice.
Trek Grades: Trek grades explained
- Gentle
- Moderate
- Vigorous
- Strenuous
- Strenuous Expedition Grade 1
Things to pack for this tour
Terms and conditions |
